What Pelican Products does

Pelican Products is a privately held, Torrance, California-based manufacturer of mission-critical protective cases, coolers, lighting, and travel gear, founded in 1976 and operating globally through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Canada, Australia, Spain (European HQ), and Japan, plus a manufacturing facility in Crottendorf, Germany. The company serves military and defense, law enforcement, photography, industrial, emergency response, and consumer outdoor markets through a portfolio that includes the flagship Protector case series (refreshed in 2026 with proprietary HPX polymer delivering 12% improved impact strength), Air cases (up to 40% lighter than polymer alternatives), Storm, Vault, Micro, Cargo, and the newer CRATE modular cargo system, alongside hard and soft coolers, tactical flashlights and headlamps, ATX and Aegis travel luggage, mobile device cases, and Pelican Prepare emergency kits. The technology stack centers on proprietary polymer formulations (HPX, HPXC), modular accessory systems (ModRail, TrekPak, ModLight Pivot), and partnership-integrated features such as DRYOUT moisture control panels, with product specifications routinely rated to IP67 ingress protection and lifetime guarantee coverage.

The business model is primarily unit-based hardware sales with consumer price points ranging from $28.95 (Micro cases) to $814.95 (large coolers), supplemented by multi-year contract pricing for military and government programs including custom-engineered solutions for the U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program and military drone/UAS case solutions (over one million units delivered in two years). Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce via pelican.com, an authorized dealer network, Amazon marketplace, GSA Schedule government contracts, dedicated defense program sales, and event-driven marketing through SHOT Show, AUSA, and overlanding events. Revenue is diversified across consumer long-tail volume and B2B/contract defense revenue, with leadership under CEO JC Curleigh and a global workforce of 1,001-5,000 employees.

Name

Pelican Products

Legal name

Pelican Products, Inc.

Website

https://pelican.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Pelican Products is a privately held, 50-year-old global manufacturer of mission-critical protective cases, coolers, lighting, and travel gear serving military, law enforcement, industrial, photography, and consumer outdoor markets across multiple continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Protective Cases: Sale of waterproof, crushproof protective cases in multiple series (Protector, Storm, Air, Vault, Micro, Crate) serving military, professional, and consumer markets
2. Coolers: Hard and soft-sided coolers including Elite and Dayventure lines, ranging from personal 8QT to large 150QT capacity
3. Flashlights and Lighting: LED flashlights, headlamps, tactical lights, safety lights, and the ModLight Pivot modular lighting system
4. Travel and Luggage: ATX, Aegis, and Air TRVL luggage collections including hard-sided cases, backpacks, duffels, and modular organization accessories
5. Mobile and Phone Cases: Protective cases and accessories for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, AirTag, and other mobile devices with MagSafe compatibility
6. Emergency Preparedness Kits: Pelican Prepare SRVL and VLBL emergency kits combining Pelican cases with Redfora survival supplies for 72-hour preparedness
7. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Case accessories including replacement foam, O-rings, wheels, straps, TrekPak dividers, and specialized attachments like ModRail accessories

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pelican Products designs and manufactures high-performance protective cases (waterproof, crushproof, dustproof), rugged coolers, portable LED lighting, travel luggage, and mobile accessories. The company serves military, law enforcement, industrial, and consumer markets with multiple case series (Protector, Storm, Air, Vault, Micro, CRATE, Cargo), hard and soft coolers, flashlights, and modular organization systems using proprietary polymer materials.

Product overview

Pelican Products is a global leader in mission-critical protective solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of rugged cases, lighting products, coolers, travel luggage, and mobile accessories. The core product line includes multiple protective case series: the flagship Protector Cases featuring HPX™ material (12% improved impact strength in Next Generation), lightweight Air Cases (up to 40% lighter), Storm Cases with Press & Pull™ latches, affordable Vault Cases, compact Micro Cases, and specialized Cargo and CRATE cargo ecosystem cases. The cooler lineup includes rugged Elite Hard Coolers (up to 10-day ice retention) and Dayventure™ Soft Cooler Collection with multiple form factors. Lighting products span Tactical Flashlights, Headlamps, Remote Area Lights, and the ModLight Pivot in-case lighting system. Travel gear includes ATX hard-sided luggage with Pelican Armor, Aegis hybrid luggage with Pelican Shield and MOLLE modularity, and ModPak organizational accessories. Mobile solutions cover phone cases (Voyager, Shield, Protector, Ranger), AirTag cases, and waterproof collections. The Pelican-Hardigg Technical Solutions division serves defense and industrial markets with custom-engineered solutions. Products are manufactured in the USA with lifetime guarantee and serve professional segments including military, law enforcement, photography, industrial, emergency response, and outdoor recreation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Protector: The original and classic waterproof, crushproof, dustproof protective case series - the benchmark in proven protection
• Storm
• Air
• Vault
• Dayventure
• Elite
• ATX
• Aegis
• ModPak
• CRATE
• ModLight Pivot
• Pelican Prepare
• America 250
• M50 Country Series
• Black Ops

Products and services

• Protector Cases The flagship line of Pelican cases offering waterproof, crushproof, and dustproof protection with an O-ring seal and pressure equalization valve; Next Generation Protector features HPX material with 12% improved impact strength.
• Air Cases Premium lightweight protective cases, up to 40% lighter than other polymer cases, designed for travel and frequent transport.
• Storm Cases Professional-grade protective cases featuring unique Press & Pull latches that lock automatically and open with a light touch.
• Vault Cases Rugged protective cases at an affordable price point providing everyday protection engineered for cost-effectiveness.
• Micro Cases Compact cases for storing phones, tools, first aid, and other small essentials with IP67-rated protection against water, dust, and impact.
• CRATE Series Fully configurable cargo ecosystem built from proprietary HPXC polymer with IP67-rated protection, featuring the ModRail system for exterior mounts and accessories; available in 45L and 90L sizes with stackable interlocking design.
• Cargo Cases Cargo cases designed for overlanding and vehicle-based adventure transport, ready to attach to mount kits on vehicles.
• Elite Hard Coolers Ultra-rugged hard-sided coolers designed to keep food and beverages cold for up to 10 days, available in sizes from 8QT to 150QT with built-in bottle openers, heavy-duty wheels, and integrated cup holders.
• Dayventure Soft Coolers Lightweight, high-performance soft cooler collection with multiple form factors (Cube, Base, Carry, Tote, Backpack, and Sling) designed to eliminate the trade-off between durability and portability for outdoor adventures.
• ModLight Pivot Compact modular in-case lighting system designed to fit inside compatible Pelican protective cases, providing hands-free illumination with tri-color lighting modes and up to 18 hours of runtime.
• Tactical Flashlights LED tactical flashlights including the 7600 USB-C Tactical Flashlight, SabreLite series, and StealthLite series designed for rugged activities and professional use.
• Headlamps Hands-free LED headlamps including HeadsUp Lite and ProGear series for outdoor activities, industrial, and professional use.
• Remote Area Lights Portable LED lighting systems for illuminating larger areas in field operations and industrial settings.
• ATX Luggage Series Hard-sided luggage designed for adventurous travelers featuring Pelican Armor protection and built-in organization.
• Aegis Luggage Series Hybrid luggage combining hard case protection with soft case versatility, featuring Pelican Shield protection, MOLLE modularity, and range-specific organization; includes backpacks, rolling duffels, and slings.
• Air TRVL Luggage Original Air travel cases designed for extreme adventure with trusted, proven protection in a lightweight construction.
• ModPak Organization Accessories Modular packing and organizational accessories including packing cubes, toiletry bags, MOLLE pouches, storage pouches, and organizer panels.
• Phone Cases (Voyager, Shield, Protector, Ranger) Protective phone cases for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices including MagSafe-compatible options, with drop protection, waterproof options, and RFID blocking wallets.
• AirTag Cases Protective cases for Apple AirTag trackers including waterproof collections and tracker luggage locks.
• Pelican Prepare (SRVL and VLBL Emergency Kits) Professional-grade 72-hour emergency kits combining Redfora survival supplies (emergency radio, solar charger, food bars, water filtration, first aid) with Pelican protective cases; SRVL evacuation kits and VLBL document and valuables storage cases.
• Aegis 25L Tactical Backpack Tactical backpack with 500D Cordura fabric, advanced MOLLE modularity, and range-specific organization; limited edition MultiCam camouflage release.
• NGSW Protective Cases for U.S. Army Custom-engineered protective cases for the U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program covering the M7 rifle and M250 light machine gun.
• Pelican-Hardigg Technical Solutions Technical solutions division providing custom-engineered protective solutions for military, defense, and industrial applications, with over one million military drone and UAS case solutions delivered in two years.
• Black Ops Apparel Tactical-themed clothing line including uniform t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and accessories.
• Case Accessories Replacement parts and accessories including O-rings, TrekPak dividers, foam sets, wheel kits, straps, organizers, and panel frames for Pelican cases.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12% improved impact strength with HPX material in Next Generation Protector series
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Chris BurkardflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 March 2026Year-long global ambassador partnership with photographer and explorer Chris Burkard celebrating Pelican's 50th anniversary in 2026. Includes 'Case Chronicles' content series from March-December with monthly stories of extraordinary missions. Burkard serves as product tester for Pelican's evolving line including Aegis 4-wheel case across diverse terrains in Japan. Integration into storytelling, community engagement, and field testing operations.
• DRYOUTcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 March 2026Active moisture removal technology partnership integrating DRYOUT moisture-control panels into select Pelican protective cases worldwide. Panels remove up to 10.2x more water than traditional silica gel canisters. Partnership secures U.S. Special Forces program for helmet bags protecting $20,000+ equipment packages. Seven-figure angel funding secured by DRYOUT. Launch spring 2026 starting at $49.95 with custom and bulk sizing.
• RedforacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Redfora for 72-hour emergency preparedness kits. Redfora provides certified survival supplies including emergency radio, solar charger, food bars, water filtration, and first aid. Pelican provides protective case housing. Kits rated 'Best Overall' by Home Safety & Severe Weather Experts. 66% of Americans don't feel prepared for natural disasters driving market opportunity.
• Land RoverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThird year partnership sponsoring Land Rover Defender Service Awards for Search and Rescue category. Pelican cases trusted by Search and Rescue teams worldwide to protect valuable equipment for critical missions.
• Defense InnovatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnerships with defense innovators involving earlier-stage engagement and scaled US factory production to meet new defense demand driven by drone reshaping military logistics.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SKB Cases: Direct competitor in injection-molded, roto-molded, and ATA-rated protective cases for music, military, and industrial applications. Closest comp in case durability and configurability, competing head-to-head with Pelican's Protector and Storm lines.
• ZARGES: German manufacturer of aluminum and composite protective cases for defense, aerospace, and industrial applications. Competes in the same protectivelong-format transit case space as Pelican-Hardigg Technical Solutions for military and aerospace customers.
• Briggs & Riley: Premium luggage brand with lifetime guarantee similar to Pelican, competing in the travel/luggage space alongside Pelican's ATX and Air TRVL collections. Differentiated by business-traveler focus vs. Pelican's adventure/tactical positioning.
• HPRC (Hard Resin Product Cases): Italian manufacturer of high-strength resin cases for military, broadcasting, and outdoor use. Comparable product specification (IP67, MIL-SPEC) and competes globally in the same premium protective case category as Pelican.
• Go Professional Cases (GPC): Specializes in custom pre-cut foam cases for DJI and commercial drones, directly competing with Pelican's drone case line. Strong in commercial UAS and cinematography markets where Pelican also plays.

Broad incumbents

• OtterBox: Leading protective phone case maker competing with Pelican's Voyager, Shield, Protector, and Ranger phone case lines. Differs in product category (mobile only) but addresses same protective accessory consumer need.
• YETI Holdings: Premium cooler and drinkware brand that competes directly with Pelican's Elite and Dayventure cooler lines. Strong consumer brand in outdoor category with broader product breadth beyond cases.
• Stanley (PMI Brand): Iconic drinkware and cooler brand with strong retail presence, competing with Pelican's Dayventure and Elite coolers and hydration products. Broader consumer durable goods focus rather than mission-specific protective gear.

Emerging players

• RTIC Outdoors: Direct-to-consumer cooler and outdoor brand competing on price/value against Yeti and Pelican. Significant share taker in mass-market cooler category where Pelican also plays.

Others

• Pelican Hardigg Defense (internal): Pelican's own Pelican-Hardigg Technical Solutions division branded in 2026 provides internal benchmark for defense/integrated military case capabilities. Useful for sizing addressable defense market within Pelican's own portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pelicanproducts
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PelicanProductsInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/PelicanProductsInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pelican-products-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/pelican
• TikToktiktok.com/@pelicanproducts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pelican Products